All politicians are alike

May 16, 2013

Members of Congress and lawmakers in Springfield both seem to share one unique aspect. They all answer to themselves and their benefactors, as opposed to those they are supposed to represent, the citizens of this state and country.

Nothing of importance seems to get done, either in Washington or Springfield. Meanwhile, the U.S. deficit continues to grow, Social Security and Medicare funding has not been addressed, health care is increasingly confusing and the immigration system is still in shambles. But if lawmakers deem an investigative committee is needed to politicize an issue, they'll jump at the opportunity.

Illinois just gets deeper in debt, with no cure for the public pension mess, crumbling infrastructure and businesses fleeing the state.

Yet lawmakers, both nationally and in Illinois, continue to find the time to take their many breaks from Washington and Springfield. And then these same legislators wonder why polls show that their job approval ratings are south of pond scum.

Maybe politicians have another commonality: They just can't seem to grasp the obvious.